Sober Awkward

This week, Vic is joined by comedian, No Holes Barred podcaster and FitBtch co-founder Victoria Emes. Known for her hilariously honest take on motherhood and midlife, Victoria brings that same openness to a conversation about losing her dad and finding her feet sober.We talk about her decision to stop drinking in the lead-up to his death, and how she’s stayed sober since. Does experiencing grief without alcohol change how we move through it? Does it get easier, or do we learn to live alongside it?We also explore the drinking culture around funerals. Why does paying our respects so often involve raising a glass? Could being fully present be another way of honouring someone we love?Victoria shares memories of her dad and his passion for animation, which gets us talking about creativity, purpose and what we lean on when life gets difficult. She also opens up about how sobriety has helped her feel more confident in herself and her business decisions.And yes, we cover parquet flooring, teenage tomfoolery and fingering. A broad agenda, even by our standards.An episode packed with love, laughter and an inspiring personal story from a woman we absolutely bloody love.💛 Resources & LinksTo find out more about Victoria Emes and FitBtch head to - @victoriaemes FitBtch Power victoriaemes Linktree 📖 Vic & Ulrika want to hear from you!Have you got a story, weird drunk confession or a question for Vic and Ulrika?Email vicandulrika@soberawkward.com. Your message could inspire a future episode.📱 Join the Sober Awkward appThe Sober Awkward app is a welcoming space for anyone who is sober, sober-curious or simply rethinking their relationship with alcohol.Search “Sober Awkward” in the Apple App Store or find for all other devices click here📲 Follow usInstagram - Sober Awkward: @soberawkwardFacebook - Sober Awkward Community for WomenRetreat with us🌴 Fancy a sober holiday? Click here to come and drink from coconuts with us!📰 Media enquiriesFor press, features, partnerships or other media requests, contact Kate at hello@soberawkward.com📘 A Thousand Wasted SundaysVictoria’s brutally honest and hilarious memoir about motherhood, anxiety and ditching the booze.👉 Get A Thousand Wasted Sundays📙 MummingA Year of Trying (and Failing) to Be a Better Parent—Vic’s funny and painfully relatable memoir about the messy reality of motherhood.👉 Get Mumming📘 Get the Sober Awkward GuideA 30-day sobriety kickstart filled with relatable support, practical tools and plenty of awkwardness to help you begin life without booze.👉 Explore the Sober Awkward Guide🎧 Listen to more Sober AwkwardFind more episodes, books, events and everything Sober Awkward.👉 soberawkward.com🛟 Alcohol SupportSober Awkward shares personal experiences and community support, but it is not a substitute for professional medical advice.If you are physically dependent on alcohol, suddenly stopping can be dangerous. Please speak to a doctor or alcohol-support service for advice on withdrawing safely.🇬🇧 United KingdomDrinkline — National Alcohol HelplineFree and confidential support if you are worried about your own or someone else’s drinking.Call 0300 123 1110Weekdays: 9am–8pmWeekends: 11am–4pm👉 NHS alcohol supportAlcohol Change UKInformation, practical tools and support.👉 alcoholchange.org.ukWithYouFree, confidential support with alcohol, drugs and mental health.👉 wearewithyou.org.ukIn an emergency, call 999.🇦🇺 AustraliaNational Alcohol and Other Drug HotlineFree and confidential information and support.Call 1800 250 015Available 24/7 in most states and territories.👉 Australian Government hotline informationLifeline AustraliaCrisis support available 24/7.Call 13 11 14Text 0477 13 11 14👉 lifeline.org.auIn an emergency, call 000.

Has Vic gone a bit woo woo?In this week’s Awkward Bit, Vic digs a little deeper into Monday’s conversation and asks why sobriety seems to have opened the door to a whole world she once would have rolled her eyes at.We’re talking spirituality, intuition, signs from the universe, meditation, energy and that slightly uncomfortable feeling that there might be something bigger going on, even if you have absolutely no idea what it is.Vic spent years numbing herself, ignoring her gut and charging through life looking for the next bit of excitement. Now, eight and a half years sober, she’s much more interested in slowing down, listening to herself and finding a bit of peace. Annoyingly, this seems to involve quite a lot of the woo woo stuff she used to take the piss out of.So, is there something about getting sober that makes us more open to spirituality? Is it simply what happens when we finally get quiet enough to hear ourselves think? And can you believe in something bigger without disappearing into the woods with a crystal shoved up your fanny?Vic investigates.💛 Resources & Links📖 Vic & Ulrika want to hear from you!Have you got a story, weird drunk confession or a question for Vic and Ulrika?Email vicandulrika@soberawkward.com. Your message could inspire a future episode.📱 Join the Sober Awkward appThe Sober Awkward app is a welcoming space for anyone who is sober, sober-curious or simply rethinking their relationship with alcohol.Search “Sober Awkward” in the Apple App Store or find for all other devices click here📲 Follow usInstagram - Sober Awkward: @soberawkwardFacebook - Sober Awkward Community for WomenRetreat with us🌴 Fancy a sober holiday? Click here to come and drink from coconuts with us!📰 Media enquiriesFor interviews, features, partnerships or other media requests, contact Kate at hello@soberawkward.com.📘 A Thousand Wasted SundaysVictoria’s brutally honest and hilarious memoir about motherhood, anxiety and ditching the booze.👉 Get A Thousand Wasted Sundays📙 MummingA Year of Trying (and Failing) to Be a Better Parent—Vic’s funny and painfully relatable memoir about the messy reality of motherhood.👉 Get Mumming📘 Get the Sober Awkward GuideA 30-day sobriety kickstart filled with relatable support, practical tools and plenty of awkwardness to help you begin life without booze.👉 Explore the Sober Awkward Guide🎧 Listen to more Sober AwkwardFind more episodes, books, events and everything Sober Awkward.👉 soberawkward.com🛟 Alcohol SupportSober Awkward shares personal experiences and community support, but it is not a substitute for professional medical advice.If you are physically dependent on alcohol, suddenly stopping can be dangerous. Please speak to a doctor or alcohol-support service for advice on withdrawing safely.🇬🇧 United KingdomDrinkline — National Alcohol HelplineFree and confidential support if you are worried about your own or someone else’s drinking.Call 0300 123 1110Weekdays: 9am–8pmWeekends: 11am–4pm👉 NHS alcohol supportAlcohol Change UKInformation, practical tools and support.👉 alcoholchange.org.ukWithYouFree, confidential support with alcohol, drugs and mental health.👉 wearewithyou.org.ukIn an emergency, call 999.🇦🇺 AustraliaNational Alcohol and Other Drug HotlineFree and confidential information and support.Call 1800 250 015Available 24/7 in most states and territories.👉 Australian Government hotline informationLifeline AustraliaCrisis support available 24/7.Call 13 11 14Text 0477 13 11 14👉 lifeline.org.auIn an emergency, call 000.

Do you have to get a bit spiritual when you get sober? And what the hell does being “spiritual” actually mean?This week, Vic and Ulrika chat about whether sobriety naturally makes you start looking for something a little bigger than little old you. Does spirituality mean meditation, breathwork and heavy breathing in a converted barn with strangers banging gongs, or can it simply mean going for a walk, sitting quietly, having a boiling hot bath or finding small rituals that make you feel connected and calm?They chat about the things that replace drinking, learning how to properly switch off without booze, and whether you need to believe in anything at all to experience the benefits of slowing down and getting out of your own head.Naturally, what starts as a surprisingly thoughtful conversation about spirituality eventually descends into sacred clams, dried oysters, downward dogs and a deeply unnecessary discussion about the current state of holy lady gardens!Spiritual enlightenment, Sober Awkward stylie.💛 Resources & Links📖 Vic & Ulrika want to hear from you!Have you got a story, weird drunk confession or a question for Vic and Ulrika?Email vicandulrika@soberawkward.com. Your message could inspire a future episode.📱 Join the Sober Awkward appThe Sober Awkward app is a welcoming space for anyone who is sober, sober-curious or simply rethinking their relationship with alcohol.Search “Sober Awkward” in the Apple App Store or find for all other devices click here📲 Follow usInstagram - Sober Awkward: @soberawkwardFacebook - Sober Awkward Community for WomenRetreat with us🌴 Fancy a sober holiday? Click here to come and drink from coconuts with us!📰 Media enquiriesFor interviews, features, partnerships or other media requests, contact Kate at hello@soberawkward.com.📘 A Thousand Wasted SundaysVictoria’s brutally honest and hilarious memoir about motherhood, anxiety and ditching the booze.👉 Get A Thousand Wasted Sundays📙 MummingA Year of Trying (and Failing) to Be a Better Parent—Vic’s funny and painfully relatable memoir about the messy reality of motherhood.👉 Get Mumming📘 Get the Sober Awkward GuideA 30-day sobriety kickstart filled with relatable support, practical tools and plenty of awkwardness to help you begin life without booze.👉 Explore the Sober Awkward Guide🎧 Listen to more Sober AwkwardFind more episodes, books, events and everything Sober Awkward.👉 soberawkward.com🛟 Alcohol SupportSober Awkward shares personal experiences and community support, but it is not a substitute for professional medical advice.If you are physically dependent on alcohol, suddenly stopping can be dangerous. Please speak to a doctor or alcohol-support service for advice on withdrawing safely.🇬🇧 United KingdomDrinkline — National Alcohol HelplineFree and confidential support if you are worried about your own or someone else’s drinking.Call 0300 123 1110Weekdays: 9am–8pmWeekends: 11am–4pm👉 NHS alcohol supportAlcohol Change UKInformation, practical tools and support.👉 alcoholchange.org.ukWithYouFree, confidential support with alcohol, drugs and mental health.👉 wearewithyou.org.ukIn an emergency, call 999.🇦🇺 AustraliaNational Alcohol and Other Drug HotlineFree and confidential information and support.Call 1800 250 015Available 24/7 in most states and territories.👉 Australian Government hotline informationLifeline AustraliaCrisis support available 24/7.Call 13 11 14Text 0477 13 11 14👉 lifeline.org.auIn an emergency, call 000.

This Thursday on The Awkward Bits, Vic has a slightly awkward realisation. She spent years desperately trying to become a moderate drinker, despite the small problem that she never actually wanted to drink moderately.She didn’t want one sophisticated glass of wine with dinner. She wanted to numb out, switch off and, quite frankly, get a bit off her tits.So why did having “just one” become such an obsession?Vic looks back at how moderation became a way of proving she was changing, particularly after having kids. If she could become the sort of woman who sipped one glass of wine, drank water in between and went home at a sensible hour, then surely everything was fine.Except Moderate Vic didn’t exist. She was a fictional woman in a kaftan arranging flowers and leaving half bottles of wine in the fridge. There’s also a very drunk man at a party, a gorgeous Brazilian backpacker, Vic’s mum receiving the most useless Christmas present imaginable and some brilliant thoughts from the Sober Awkward community.This isn’t an episode about moderation being bad. It’s about being honest about what you’re actually trying to preserve. If the thing you loved about drinking was getting pissed, spending years mourning the mythical single glass of wine is a bit bonkers.News Flash!! - The prize was never learning how to have one.It's discovering you didn’t need the bloody thing at all.Resources & Links📖 Vic & Ulrika want to hear from you!Have you got a story, weird drunk confession or a question for Vic and Ulrika?Email vicandulrika@soberawkward.com Your message could inspire a future episode.📱 Join the Sober Awkward appThe Sober Awkward app is a welcoming space for anyone who is sober, sober-curious or simply rethinking their relationship with alcohol.Search “Sober Awkward” in the Apple App Store or find for all other devices click here📲 Follow usInstagram - Sober Awkward: @soberawkwardFacebook - Sober Awkward Community for WomenRetreat with us🌴 Fancy a sober holiday? Click here to come and drink from coconuts!📰 Media enquiriesContact Kate at hello@soberawkward.comVic's Books📘 A Thousand Wasted Sundays👉 Get A Thousand Wasted Sundays📙 Mumming👉 Get Mumming📘 Get the Sober Awkward GuideA 30-day sobriety kickstart👉 Explore the Sober Awkward Guide🎧 Listen to more Sober AwkwardFind more episodes, books, events and everything Sober Awkward.👉 soberawkward.com🛟 Alcohol Support🇬🇧 United KingdomDrinkline — National Alcohol HelplineFree and confidential support if you are worried about your own or someone else’s drinking.Call 0300 123 1110Weekdays: 9am–8pmWeekends: 11am–4pm👉 NHS alcohol supportAlcohol Change UKInformation, practical tools and support.👉 alcoholchange.org.ukWithYouFree, confidential support with alcohol, drugs and mental health.👉 wearewithyou.org.ukIn an emergency, call 999.🇦🇺 AustraliaNational Alcohol and Other Drug HotlineFree and confidential information and support.Call 1800 250 015Available 24/7 in most states and territories.👉 Australian Government hotline informationLifeline AustraliaCrisis support available 24/7.Call 13 11 14Text 0477 13 11 14👉 lifeline.org.auIn an emergency, call 000.

If you’ve ever promised yourself you’d only have a couple of drinks, then found yourself ordering shots and explaining your life story to a stranger in a kebab queue, this episode is for you.This week, Vic and Ulrika dive headfirst into one of the biggest questions in sobriety: surely I can just have one? It’s the fantasy many of us cling to for years, the dream that one day we’ll become those mysterious people who can sip a glass of wine, leave half of it behind, and wander off home completely uninterested in another.Together they unpack their own attempts at moderation, the rules, the bargains, the negotiations and the endless mental gymnastics that came with trying to control something that never really wanted to be controlled. They explore why moderation can feel so exhausting, why alcohol takes up so much mental space, and why so many people discover that quitting altogether is actually far simpler than constantly trying to manage it.Along the way there are stories of disastrous hangover cures, drinking bargains that never worked, dogs with questionable toilet habits, and a frank conversation about why alcohol might deserve far more of the blame than we give it.Most importantly, Vic and Ulrika discuss the surprising freedom that can come when you stop trying to crack the moderation code altogether. Because sometimes the thing that feels like failure isn’t failure at all. Sometimes failing at moderation is the very thing that points you towards a happier, easier and more peaceful life.Funny, honest and reassuring, this episode is for anyone who has ever wondered why having “just one” seemed so easy for everyone else and so impossible for them.💛 Resources & Links📖 Vic & Ulrika want to hear from you!Have you got a story, weird drunk confession or a question for Vic and Ulrika?Email vicandulrika@soberawkward.com. Your message could inspire a future episode.📱 Join the Sober Awkward appSearch “Sober Awkward” in the Apple App Store or find for all other devices click here📲 Follow usInstagram - Sober Awkward: @soberawkwardFacebook - Sober Awkward Community for WomenRetreat with us🌴 Fancy a sober holiday? Click here to come and drink from coconuts with us!📰 Media enquiriesFor interviews, features, partnerships or other media requests, contact Kate at hello@soberawkward.com.📘 A Thousand Wasted SundaysVictoria’s brutally honest and hilarious memoir about motherhood, anxiety and ditching the booze.👉 Get A Thousand Wasted Sundays📙 MummingA Year of Trying (and Failing) to Be a Better Parent—Vic’s funny and painfully relatable memoir about the messy reality of motherhood.👉 Get Mumming📘 Get the Sober Awkward GuideA 30-day sobriety kickstart filled with relatable support, practical tools and plenty of awkwardness to help you begin life without booze.👉 Explore the Sober Awkward Guide🎧 Listen to more Sober AwkwardFind more episodes, books, events and everything Sober Awkward.👉 soberawkward.com🛟 Alcohol SupportSober Awkward shares personal experiences and community support, but it is not a substitute for professional medical advice.If you are physically dependent on alcohol, suddenly stopping can be dangerous. Please speak to a doctor or alcohol-support service for advice on withdrawing safely.🇬🇧 United KingdomDrinkline — National Alcohol HelplineFree and confidential support if you are worried about your own or someone else’s drinking.Call 0300 123 1110Weekdays: 9am–8pmWeekends: 11am–4pm👉 NHS alcohol supportAlcohol Change UKInformation, practical tools and support.👉 alcoholchange.org.ukWithYou👉 wearewithyou.org.ukIn an emergency, call 999.🇦🇺 AustraliaNational Alcohol and Other Drug HotlineFree and confidential information and support.Call 1800 250 015Available 24/7 in most states and territories.👉 Australian Government hotline informationLifeline AustraliaCrisis support available 24/7.Call 13 11 14Text 0477 13 11 14👉 lifeline.org.auIn an emergency, call 000.

What if the anxiety you think alcohol is helping is actually being made worse by the booze?Following Monday’s conversation with Millie Gooch about hangxiety, Vic digs into one of the biggest reasons she eventually stopped drinking: panic.For years, Vic thought alcohol was helping her cope with an anxious brain. It switched everything off for a few hours, gave her confidence and offered a bit of relief from all the noise. Unfortunately, the next day her brain would come back online with the volume turned up to eleven.In this episode, Vic looks at the science behind alcohol and anxiety, why that lovely relaxed feeling can be followed by dread, racing thoughts and three o’clock in the morning panic, and why stopping drinking doesn’t always make everything feel better straight away. She also reads something she wrote when her own anxiety was at its worst, back when she genuinely believed she might never feel normal again.But she did.Eight and a half years later, Vic can look back at that frightened version of herself and tell her something she desperately needed to hear: the way you feel right now is not the way you will feel forever.So, If anxiety is one of the reasons you drink, the good news is - it could also become one of the biggest reasons you never go back.Is it time to tune in?💛 Resources & Links📖 Vic & Ulrika want to hear from you!Have you got a story, weird drunk confession or a question for Vic and Ulrika?Email vicandulrika@soberawkward.com Your message could inspire a future episode.📱 Join the Sober Awkward appThe Sober Awkward app is a welcoming space for anyone who is sober, sober-curious or simply rethinking their relationship with alcohol.Search “Sober Awkward” in the Apple App Store or find for all other devices click here📲 Follow usInstagram - Sober Awkward: @soberawkwardFacebook - Sober Awkward Community for WomenRetreat with us🌴 Fancy a sober holiday? Click here to come and drink from coconuts!📰 Media enquiriesContact Kate at hello@soberawkward.comVic's Books📘 A Thousand Wasted Sundays👉 Get A Thousand Wasted Sundays📙 Mumming👉 Get Mumming📘 Get the Sober Awkward GuideA 30-day sobriety kickstart👉 Explore the Sober Awkward Guide🎧 Listen to more Sober AwkwardFind more episodes, books, events and everything Sober Awkward.👉 soberawkward.com🛟 Alcohol Support🇬🇧 United KingdomDrinkline — National Alcohol HelplineFree and confidential support if you are worried about your own or someone else’s drinking.Call 0300 123 1110Weekdays: 9am–8pmWeekends: 11am–4pm👉 NHS alcohol supportAlcohol Change UKInformation, practical tools and support.👉 alcoholchange.org.ukWithYouFree, confidential support with alcohol, drugs and mental health.👉 wearewithyou.org.ukIn an emergency, call 999.🇦🇺 AustraliaNational Alcohol and Other Drug HotlineFree and confidential information and support.Call 1800 250 015Available 24/7 in most states and territories.👉 Australian Government hotline informationLifeline AustraliaCrisis support available 24/7.Call 13 11 14Text 0477 13 11 14👉 lifeline.org.auIn an emergency, call 000.